Palette's POV

I glance over at my parents running over and feel Goth grip my arm tighter. For a moment I tense up and my soul stops beating, knowing that I'm caught and that they'll try to get me back. I glance at Goth, his words coming back to my mind. Goth's right. They're hardly parents. Never there for me when I needed it. Goth is though. They can't drag me back "home" since my home is here. I'm not alone. I smirk, seeing them approach with new confidence.

He gives me security. I don't fear them taking me. They can't. I'm....free. And boy will it be fun to get that point across. Using his own words on him for a change.

"Palette! What the hell happened to you? This boy said you got kidnapped! How dare you ignore our calls and run away from our home for you! You had us worried when you ignored us!"He snaps

"I'm sorry, Sir. Do I know you?"I ask

His eyes flash with a glint of recognition of what I'm doing.

"We're family! We are meant to spend time together!"He snaps

"Hmm? We are? I don't remember you. Let me check my scarf. If it was important I would've written it down."I say, pretending to check my scarf for a reminder

"This isn't funny!"He shouts, stomping his foot

"Hmm, I don't see jokes or reminders on my scarf. Guess it doesn't happen or matter. I'm sorry but you have the wrong skeleton."I say with a smirk, staring him right in the eyes

His eyes change to an exclamation point and X, my words or HIS returned words seeming to sting.

"Palette! Do you really not remember us? It's me, your dad! Remember archery practice that we bonded over?"Dad says

I frown, recalling those memories with him. It was meant to be family bonding and I was so excited for it but ended up being the target that he shot apples off of.

"You mean target practice? Archery? Huh, I don't remember much of bonding. But there's a nice apple orchard nearby, you just have to make sure the lumberjacks don't slice your head off. Bonding...hmm, oh! I remember bonding with you, Goth!"I say, glancing at Goth

Goth smiles at me, catching on as well.

"Stop playing dumb, Palette! We're taking you home!"Father snaps

"Ink shut up for one minute. Please."Dad sighs

Goth smiles, catching onto my act.

"Palette, dear. We were so worried. Let's go home."Dad says

"He is home."Pakeekee says, landing on my shoulder

"And what are you supposed to be?"Father asks

"I'm Pakeekee the parakeet. I live with him."Pakeekee says

"Well, you're not his family."Father says

"I'm definitely closer to that than you. Where are you in the family tree carving?"Pakeekee chirps

They both go silent.

"Family tree carving...?"Dad says

I smile wider. It's finally hitting them that they lost me. And not just by getting kidnapped.

"Palette, we're y-you serious about what you said on the phone? We were so worried looking for you, son. Is this really the life you're turning to just to replace us?"Dad asks

"If you're my parents, why did Goth save me from Nightmare instead of you? If you were so worried, why would you abandon your child? My life is here and I'm happy. I don't know any parents of mine, they don't want our lives to intertwine and I've accepted that. They should accept it too."I tell him

"Well my son should know how much trouble he is in for leaving our home and worrying us-"He says

"So your child is in trouble for finding happiness that you couldn't provide? Seems counterproductive, doesn't it? Especially for your job. Go on, drag him back. You can't keep him there anymore and you can't build what was never there."I say coldly

He goes silent. He looks at Goth.

"You're Goth? You're the kid replacing us? Talk some sense into him!"He tells Goth

"Hmmm, sorry. If he doesn't recognize you, I have nothing to make sense of for him. You must not be his parents and to talk him into leaving with strangers after he got abducted is irresponsible of me on many levels as his friend. You could be as bad as Nightmare for all I know. Besides, what's there to replace? His biological family didn't see his value or give him the love he deserved, it's their fault if they can't have him now. They lost their chance."He says

"But he belongs home with us!"Dad snaps

"No, he has a home here. And he said so himself that you're not his family. And I intend to keep him safe after the recent kidnapping. I didn't save him for him to get hurt again. His family should've loved him when they had the chance. They can't come back with demands and love now. It's too late. Now, please stop harassing us. Do not come after my friend." He says

I look at Goth. He looks back at me and smiles. Pakeekee nuzzles my head with his, patting it with his wing.

"Oh what are you going to do about it? Cry to your parents?"Father asks

"Who raised you?"Dad asks

"My fathers. But you may know them as Reaper and Geno."Goth says

Father's face goes pale.

"What? I told you that my father is the god of death."Goth says

"No, I know Geno! He's going to kill me!"Father says, disappearing into a puddle

I take my phone out.

"Palette, please! You're not serious about this are you?"He asks as I dial the number

I lift the phone to my head and nod.

"You can't be-!"He begins, grabbing me

"Hello? Palette, are you alright?"Asgore asks

"Hey. I just find it cool how blue birds fly."I say with a smile

"I'm coming to see. Stay there."He says, hanging up

I put my phone away and slide his hand off of me. He glares at me.

"I'm not letting another one leave me. You are coming with-!"He starts to shout, reaching for me again

I step back with Goth and a bolt of lightning formed as a trident strikes down to slap his hand away as it strikes into the ground. Within an instant, Asgore lands beside it in front of us.

"You are not touching him or going anywhere with him."He states

"Grandpa!"Goth exclaims

He glances over his shoulder at us.

"Are you both okay? Did he touch either of you?"He asks

We shake our heads.

"We're okay."Goth says

"Good."He says

"Stop keeping my son from me!"Dad snaps

Asgore glances at him. His smile fades.

"And what do you have to claim that title?"He asks

He towers over Dad and I could see that Dad lost his spirit or snippiness. He got intimidated easily.

"Kids, go on ahead. I'll handle him."He says

Goth grabs my hand and nods. He quickly leads me away and Pakeekee chirps a song once we were away from Dad.

"Where should we go?"He asks

I look at him and smile.

"Wherever you want to go."I say, squeezing his hand gently

His cheeks turn lavender and he nods. He leads me away, wrapping his wing around me.

I don't even look back.

TBC